Not Just Small Businesses

One common misconception is that worker cooperatives cannot scale. CHCA, a Bronx-based agency, is an example of a co-op with over 2,050 employees, nearly all Latinx and African-American women, and more than half are worker-owners.

The franchise model as well as the association model are used to increase the number of businesses cooperatively owned.

Franchise Example: Brightly

Worker cooperatives can also be successful franchises. This model was spearheaded by the Center for Family Life (CFL) in Brooklyn. (See Maru Bautista’s interview.) In an effort to streamline the start-up process, reduce the time and costs to launch new worker cooperative businesses, CFL turned to the franchise and has started four cleaning co-ops that are owned by immigrant women. The franchises share a consumer brand, marketing, back end technology, and a very detailed operations manual. All franchises have access to the Up & Go marketing platform app that let’s customers easily find and schedule house cleanings. This model has made a huge difference for worker-owners by increasing their hourly earnings from $11.50 to $25.

Brightly Website

Brightly Case Study - Put together by Start.coop